PSYC 140 Module 3 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. In which sensorimotor substage, according to Piaget, do infants learn to use symbols
and develop mental representations?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Internalization of Schemas
Correct Answer: Internalization of Schemas
Rationale: The internalization of schemas is the sixth and final substage of Piaget's
sensorimotor stage, occurring around 18-24 months. During this period, infants develop
the capacity for representational thought, using symbols and mental images to
represent objects and events, which allows for the development of language and
deferred imitation.
2. A 13-month-old infant, Jack, is left with a new babysitter. He is not distressed when
his parents leave, and upon their return, he actively avoids them. According to Mary
Ainsworth's attachment theory, how would Jack most likely be classified?
A) Secure Attachment (Type B)
B) Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A)
C) Insecure-Resistant Attachment (Type C)
D) Disorganized Attachment (Type D)
Correct Answer: Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A)
Rationale: In Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" procedure, an infant who shows little
distress upon separation and actively avoids the caregiver upon reunion is exhibiting
classic signs of insecure-avoidant attachment. This pattern suggests the infant has
,learned that their caregiver is not a reliable source of comfort and has developed a
strategy of minimizing emotional expression and proximity-seeking behaviors.
3. The rooting reflex is best described as:
A) A startle response where the infant arches their back and throws out their arms and
legs
B) The infant grabbing an object that touches their palm
C) The infant turning their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
D) The infant making stepping motions when held above a surface
Correct Answer: The infant turning their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
Rationale: The rooting reflex is a newborn's automatic response to a touch on the cheek
or near the mouth, causing them to turn their head towards the stimulus. This is a
critical survival reflex that helps the infant find the nipple for feeding.
4. True or False? Piaget's original estimation of when infants achieve object permanence
is now considered to be too pessimistic by modern researchers.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Contemporary research using more sophisticated methods has
demonstrated that infants develop object permanence much earlier than Piaget
originally proposed. While Piaget believed it emerged around 8-12 months, studies
show some understanding of object permanence as early as 3-4 months.
5. During which sensorimotor substage do infant reflexes begin to disappear and
behaviors become more intentional and habit-forming?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
,C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions
Correct Answer: Primary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The primary circular reactions substage (1-4 months) is characterized by
the repetition of pleasurable actions that are centered on the infant's own body.
Reflexive behaviors begin to fade, and the infant starts to engage in intentional, habit-
forming behaviors, like thumb-sucking.
6. Which sensorimotor substage is marked by experimentation with objects, where the
infant may act on multiple objects at once or perform different actions to observe the
outcomes?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions
Correct Answer: Tertiary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The tertiary circular reactions substage (12-18 months) is characterized by
active experimentation and curiosity. Infants in this stage deliberately vary their actions
to see the effects, representing the emergence of problem-solving and a more
sophisticated understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.
7. According to Piaget, the sensorimotor substage in which infants experiment with toys
by playing with them in various ways is the:
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Internalization of Schemas
, Correct Answer: Tertiary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The tertiary circular reactions stage is defined by the infant's active and
varied exploration of objects. They are "little scientists" who experiment with different
actions to see what happens, which is a key cognitive milestone.
8. In Mary Ainsworth's "Strange Situation," what is the name of the successful and
healthy attachment style that results from a sensitive and responsive caregiving
environment?
A) Secure Attachment
B) Insecure-Avoidant Attachment
C) Insecure-Resistant Attachment
D) Disorganized Attachment
Correct Answer: Secure Attachment
Rationale: Secure attachment is the desired outcome of Ainsworth's "Strange
Situation." It is characterized by the infant's use of the caregiver as a secure base for
exploration and their ability to be comforted upon reunion, indicating a trusting and
healthy bond.
9. During Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation, which of the following is a key aspect of
the infant's or child's behavior that is observed?
A) The infant's reaction to the mother leaving the room
B) The infant's reaction to a stranger entering the room
C) The infant's behavior upon reunion with the mother
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Ainsworth's Strange Situation is a structured procedure with a series of
separations and reunions with the caregiver and a stranger. The infant's reactions to
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. In which sensorimotor substage, according to Piaget, do infants learn to use symbols
and develop mental representations?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Internalization of Schemas
Correct Answer: Internalization of Schemas
Rationale: The internalization of schemas is the sixth and final substage of Piaget's
sensorimotor stage, occurring around 18-24 months. During this period, infants develop
the capacity for representational thought, using symbols and mental images to
represent objects and events, which allows for the development of language and
deferred imitation.
2. A 13-month-old infant, Jack, is left with a new babysitter. He is not distressed when
his parents leave, and upon their return, he actively avoids them. According to Mary
Ainsworth's attachment theory, how would Jack most likely be classified?
A) Secure Attachment (Type B)
B) Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A)
C) Insecure-Resistant Attachment (Type C)
D) Disorganized Attachment (Type D)
Correct Answer: Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A)
Rationale: In Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" procedure, an infant who shows little
distress upon separation and actively avoids the caregiver upon reunion is exhibiting
classic signs of insecure-avoidant attachment. This pattern suggests the infant has
,learned that their caregiver is not a reliable source of comfort and has developed a
strategy of minimizing emotional expression and proximity-seeking behaviors.
3. The rooting reflex is best described as:
A) A startle response where the infant arches their back and throws out their arms and
legs
B) The infant grabbing an object that touches their palm
C) The infant turning their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
D) The infant making stepping motions when held above a surface
Correct Answer: The infant turning their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
Rationale: The rooting reflex is a newborn's automatic response to a touch on the cheek
or near the mouth, causing them to turn their head towards the stimulus. This is a
critical survival reflex that helps the infant find the nipple for feeding.
4. True or False? Piaget's original estimation of when infants achieve object permanence
is now considered to be too pessimistic by modern researchers.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Contemporary research using more sophisticated methods has
demonstrated that infants develop object permanence much earlier than Piaget
originally proposed. While Piaget believed it emerged around 8-12 months, studies
show some understanding of object permanence as early as 3-4 months.
5. During which sensorimotor substage do infant reflexes begin to disappear and
behaviors become more intentional and habit-forming?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
,C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions
Correct Answer: Primary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The primary circular reactions substage (1-4 months) is characterized by
the repetition of pleasurable actions that are centered on the infant's own body.
Reflexive behaviors begin to fade, and the infant starts to engage in intentional, habit-
forming behaviors, like thumb-sucking.
6. Which sensorimotor substage is marked by experimentation with objects, where the
infant may act on multiple objects at once or perform different actions to observe the
outcomes?
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions
Correct Answer: Tertiary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The tertiary circular reactions substage (12-18 months) is characterized by
active experimentation and curiosity. Infants in this stage deliberately vary their actions
to see the effects, representing the emergence of problem-solving and a more
sophisticated understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.
7. According to Piaget, the sensorimotor substage in which infants experiment with toys
by playing with them in various ways is the:
A) Primary Circular Reactions
B) Secondary Circular Reactions
C) Tertiary Circular Reactions
D) Internalization of Schemas
, Correct Answer: Tertiary Circular Reactions
Rationale: The tertiary circular reactions stage is defined by the infant's active and
varied exploration of objects. They are "little scientists" who experiment with different
actions to see what happens, which is a key cognitive milestone.
8. In Mary Ainsworth's "Strange Situation," what is the name of the successful and
healthy attachment style that results from a sensitive and responsive caregiving
environment?
A) Secure Attachment
B) Insecure-Avoidant Attachment
C) Insecure-Resistant Attachment
D) Disorganized Attachment
Correct Answer: Secure Attachment
Rationale: Secure attachment is the desired outcome of Ainsworth's "Strange
Situation." It is characterized by the infant's use of the caregiver as a secure base for
exploration and their ability to be comforted upon reunion, indicating a trusting and
healthy bond.
9. During Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation, which of the following is a key aspect of
the infant's or child's behavior that is observed?
A) The infant's reaction to the mother leaving the room
B) The infant's reaction to a stranger entering the room
C) The infant's behavior upon reunion with the mother
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Ainsworth's Strange Situation is a structured procedure with a series of
separations and reunions with the caregiver and a stranger. The infant's reactions to
